The meaning of April 23 National Sovereignty and Children's Day

In our childhood days, we used to celebrate April 23 with honor and enthusiasm. 

It was a special day and a gift to children. Its special nature stemmed from the fact that it was the day the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, which would become the fortress of resistance during the days when the homeland was occupied, was opened and national sovereignty was declared. The fact that such an important day was gifted to children carried a great honor with it. 

It was the first and only holiday in the world gifted to children. Turkish children knew and were learning the responsibility of this precious gift. Schools were making preparations to reflect the concept of national sovereignty in their celebration ceremonies.

April 23 was gradually stripped of its context. It was made to be forgotten that it was a national sovereignty holiday, and it began to be celebrated merely as a children's holiday. 

With a few clichéd slogans and poems, the duty was practically brushed off. April 23 celebrations were turned into costume balls. School shows performed with children dressed in strange outfits strained the financial means of families, while children with limited means were forced to feel alienated from those with broader opportunities.

Performances that lost their soul, where the child's happiness was focused on ostentation and consumption, and where the consciousness of "being privileged" was pumped instead of responsibility, began to mark April 23.

However, this was not enough. Producing various excuses to prevent the celebration of National Holidays became a tradition under the AKP government.  The AKP, which complains about not being able to build its own culture and "human model," started with national holidays while looking for ways to destroy the foundations of Republican culture.

National Holidays are days that, in addition to creating an effect that reminds the nation of its founding values, creates a "we" perception in society, and strengthens national and historical consciousness, are also days when love and loyalty to our Founding Leader, the Great Atatürk, are refreshed.

April 23 also became one of the targets among National Holidays. 

In 2007, on the same day as the April 23 National Sovereignty and Children's Day, "Kutlu Doğum" (Blessed Birth) Week events were organized in Denizli. Children were made to cover their heads, recite hymns, and a Quran recitation competition was held. The number of events held within the Kutlu Doğum Week in 2007 reached 11,723. 

The event dates for Kutlu Doğum Week continue between April 14-20. Those who set out to divide society seemed to have set out to send the message, "If you have your April 23, we also have our Kutlu Doğum Week," through children. 

On April 23, 2016, it was canceled on the grounds of terrorism and martyrs. However, on the same day, the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), affiliated with the Prime Ministry, held an event titled "The Colors of the Ummah Meet in Turkey."

Reasons such as terrorism, martyrs, mining accidents, national mourning, pandemics, etc., were listed one after another to prevent the celebration of National Holidays. However, one of the most interesting justifications occurred in 2012. 

Minister of National Education Ömer Dinçer sent the following letter to the Provincial Directorates of National Education to prevent the celebration of the May 19 ceremonies;

"It is heard that because the preparation period for the celebration ceremonies coincides with a cold time of the year, it causes health problems, and because the working time is long, it causes students' interest in lessons to decrease, their motivation to drop, and the relationships of non-volunteer parents with schools to deteriorate."

The justification was interesting; a Minister of National Education who was worried about "children catching a cold" in May had been witnessed... This was a beginning, and stadium ceremonies were canceled.

The state officials' visit to Anıtkabir on April 23 was removed. With the changes made to the regulations in 2012 and 2016, the ceremonial parade and greeting ceremony were abolished.

April 23 was first stripped of its spirit, then pruned...

Attempts to sabotage National Holidays or reduce their effectiveness with contrary messages have been going on for years. 

However, which one is the most memorable and heart-wrenching in recent times?

Undoubtedly, it is the President of the Republic of Turkey saluting the Turkish Navy from the Vahdettin Mansion on the 100th Anniversary of the Republic. 

It is clear that those who want to cover up Vahdettin's betrayal with a salute made from the Mansion of Vahdettin, who fled Istanbul on November 17, 1922, by boarding a British battleship, have not been successful in this.

The Turkish nation proves every passing day how empty and meaningless the effort spent on devaluing National Holidays is.  National Holidays have come under the protection of the Turkish Nation and continue to be celebrated with increasing enthusiasm. 

It should be the duty of our educators first, and then families, to convey the importance of April 23 and the meaning of National Sovereignty to our children, and to teach them that it imposes a responsibility on them beyond being just a "fun" holiday.

Happy National Sovereignty and Children's Day to all our children!